» PRESS CENTER » NEWS AND GALLERIES » PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV IN ODESSA: BULGARIANS IN UKRAINE WILL ALWAYS BE A BRIDGE FOR THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV IN ODESSA: BULGARIANS IN UKRAINE WILL ALWAYS BE A BRIDGE FOR THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

05.10.2018

"Ukrainian citizens of Bulgarian origin will always be a bridge for understanding and cooperation between the two countries." This was stated by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during a meeting with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko in Odessa. Later, the two will attend the celebrations on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the Bolgrad High School "G. S. Rakovski".

During the meeting, Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov highlighted that the joint celebration of the high school anniversary in Bolgrad is an expression of the shared understanding by both sides about the importance of preserving the linguistic and cultural identity of the Bulgarian community in Ukraine. "We have to use this friendship to live better. The continuation of this policy is the best guarantee that our compatriots will continue to be the bridge for cooperation of the country with Bulgaria and the EU, as well as a factor in the achievement of its European perspective," underlined the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

The Ukrainian President expressed his gratitude for the efforts by the Bulgarian government during the Presidency of the EU Council in the context of relations between the European Union and Ukraine, including the country's macro-financial assistance.

Boyko Borissov and Petro Poroshenko expressed high appreciation of the traditional friendly relations between Bulgaria and Ukraine, which are based on strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties. It was pointed out that these testify to the fact that the two countries mutually perceive each other as important and priority partners. "The pro-European orientation of Ukraine, as well as the shared Euro-Atlantic values, further enhance these relations and provide a basis for their further strengthening in all areas of mutual interest", added Prime Minister Borissov.

The expansion of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation was also discussed during the meeting. Boyko Borissov and Petro Poroshenko noted an increase in Ukrainian tourists to Bulgaria for the recent years - a 15% growth for 2017.